Grove (Final)

Chinnor Colts 11 vs. Grove Colts 6
Oxfordshire Cup Final
Sunday 2nd April 2006

These two old adversaries met to decide who would have custody of the prestigious trophy for the next twelve months.

Chinnor Colts had reached the last two Colts County finals without success, whilst the Grove squad have taken the County Cup for four consecutive years at progressive age groups.

The officials where in radio contact, the sun shining, temperature mild and the wind blowing strongly on a diagonal across the pitch at Horspath Road.

Chinnor monopolised territory from the off, but had to wait for some considerable time until they got a return on their investment. It came when inside centre Morgan Thompson received the ball in the line. After a quick assessment, he backed himself against two Grove defenders fainting around the first, and powering through the attempted tackle to go over in the left hand corner. When he rose to his feet, he took the ensuing conversion attempt himself, but the wind determined that his kick went wide, 5 – 0.

Chinnor continued in the ascendancy, but conceded a penalty right in front, which Grove capitalised on, 5 – 3.

Chinnor came back and were themselves awarded a penalty for handling in the ruck. From some considerable distance and with the wind gusting at his back Morgan Thompson sent a huge kick between the uprights to make it 8 – 3.

A short while later, Thompson was given another opportunity from distance and repeated the dose with another very good kick, 11 – 3.

Grove came back and were awarded a penalty for a deliberate knock on – again right in front. A simple three points and it was 11 –  6 as the half time whistle curtailed the first  thirty five minutes.

By this stage, Chinnor had lost prop Will Batting to hospital with a couple of popped ribs. He was replaced by Don Quadrado who did a great job as a more then able deputy, which earned him the Chinnor Man of The Match Award. They had also lost the mercurial Tim Hughes with a hamstring. He was replaced by Tom Duffy.

Chinnor played the second half with their heads, defending resolutely in the tackle and pressing at the appropriate time. Grove with the lions share of the wind, kicked for position, but the Chinnor defence and controlled aggression, nullified them to take the game and the Cup.

Every Chinnor player had excelled, but it was three key moments executed by Morgan Thompson that really made the difference. Well Done lads you deserved it!!

CHAMPIONS: Arthur, Batting, Bishop, Blewitt, Duffy, Ellson, Garrod, Grellier, Hackshaw, Heath, Hillier, Hiscock, Hughes, Lang, Major, Maloney, John,  Sanders, Stock, Spinks, Thompson, Quadrado and Williams